I woe acbc vrin a vtd Cr f h Ya 20” Te Mégane . The sporting brand's the manufactureof to 2003”. dedicated is Yearwhich factory, the Dieppe the of in built is “ Sport voted was version whose II, Mégane of featuressafety and comfort the all over carries version sporting this form, 5-door handling. and 3-door in Offered speeds. lowest and the from responseexcellent steering of precision ensures Turboprovides2.0 engine 225bhp gearbox,its manual Together 6-speed its with axis steering independent an featuring system everyday strut axis in double a use suspension, front innovative of Its operation. ease remarkable and temperament strong a both offers It programme. II Mégane the of version sporting the is Sport Renault Mégane The pleasuredriving everydaygearedto Sport: Renault Mégane of Mégane II, whose dynamism and compactness are sporting its that presentsto similar is design elegance.Its with character Sport Renault Mégane The beautiful is “beast” The car.sports pleasurea driving of the tourer with grand a of qualities the combines it form, 5-door and for series production or competition. Available in 3-door of expertise Technologies in the the area of sporting cars, from and programme II Mégane the fromlessonsbenefits the Sport of Renault Mégane The a rfet h caatr f h Mgn Renault Mégane the Sport. of character the reflect way own their in each schemes colour interior 2 the and coloursinterior.body cabin 5 the The of air sporting the to contributefootrest and cluster pedal interior minium the alu- the in and seats, front curved reflecteddeeply The design. is character same The 18-inch and wing alloywheels. rear pipe, exhaust twin central Sport models: wide air intake grilles Renault in the bumpers, the of features special the by emphasized PRESS INFORMATION FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION IMMEDIATE FOR INFORMATION PRESS

MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT 1 Engineered for precision of control thanks to changes to significant components includ- ing the turbocharger, the crankshaft and the pistons. The Mégane Renault Sport is equipped with an inde- With at least 90% of maximum torque available from pendent steering-axis front suspension. This innova- 2,000 to 6,000rpm, this engine provides strong and tive configuration provides steering precision while continuous output. A specially developed exhaust eliminating the feedback effects often encountered system creates a characteristically sporting sound. in very powerful front-driven cars. The spring and damper settings have been selected to combine The 6-speed manual gearbox allows the liveliness of dynamic driving with ride comfort. The braking sys- the engine to be fully exploited: acceleration to tem, powerful and fade-resistant, consists of four 100kph is achieved in 6.5sec and the kilometre is large-diameter discs (312mm ventilated at the front covered from rest in 26.7sec. The Mégane Renault and 300mm at the rear), with 4-piston Brembo Sport achieves the best fuel consumption in its class calipers at the front. The Continental SportContact2 with 8.8 litres/100km in the mixed cycle (209g of 225/40 R18 tyres were specially developed for this C02/km) and its exhaust emissions meet the Euro 4 application. The variable-assistance steering system fiscal incentive standard. and the driving aid systems (ABS, ESP trajectory control with understeer control, ASR traction control The pleasure of being at the controls with MSR engine torque regulation on the overrun) have been specially recalibrated for the Mégane The steering wheel and driver’s seat, essential Renault Sport. ingredients of driving pleasure, can both be adjusted in various ways to allow anyone to achieve an ideal A lively powertrain, driving position. The sideways support provided by strong at all speeds the front seats, and the location of the cushions, has been improved. The Mégane Renault Sport carries Renault Sport has developed the 2.0 16v turbocharged across all the features and innovations of Mégane II, engine used in the group’s top-range models into a such as the tyre pressure monitoring system and unit of high performance yet suitable for daily use. Its also the cruise control/speed limiter system. output of 225bhp with 300Nm of torque is achieved 3

Sportiness with complete safety The know-how of the Dieppe factory Safety is a Renault priority. The Mégane Renault Sport uses the platform and all the safety features which The Dieppe factory is entirely responsible for assem- enabled the Mégane II hatchback to achieve a maxi- bly of the Mégane Renault Sport, taking body shells mum 5-star rating in the crash tests conducted by the from Renault’s production facility at Palencia is Spain. independent Euro-NCAP organization. Its structure As with the Clio 2.0 16v and V6, the Mégane Renault allows a large amount of energy to be absorbed in the Sport benefits from the experience and know-how of event of an impact. The third-generation Renault a site dedicated to the manufacture of the group’s System for Restraint and Protection includes adaptive sporting cars. twin-volume frontal airbags together with safety belts with twin load limiters and twin pretensioners for the Positioning and market front seats. Two side airbags protect the thoraxes of front seat occupants and two curtain airbags protect The Mégane Renault Sport completes and energizes the heads of front and rear occupants. Two side the Mégane II programme, now consisting of seven airbags are also offered for the back seats. The body types introduced in 18 months, by entering the Mégane Renault Sport is thus equipped with all the market for sporting cars in the C segment. This market features needed to become the benchmark in terms has shown strong growth in Western Europe: it has of passive safety in the sports hatchback segment. increased from 5,300 units in 1998 to 30,000 units in 2002. After a slight easing of sales through 2003 A long-lasting investment (25,000 units), associated with ageing of the available models, 2004 will be notable for fresh expansion of the As for the rest of the Mégane II range, service inter- market for compact sporting cars with the most vals for the Mégane Renault Sport are 30,000km, with heavily involved manufacturers introducing new spark plugs and air filter required every 60,000km. Its models. Following the Clio 2.0 16v, the Mégane reliability, proven through many durability tests, has Renault Sport completes Renault’s range for this allowed the warranty period to be fixed at two years highly competitive sporting market. for replacement parts and 12 years against corrosion. In addition, out of respect for the environment, the car has been designed so that it can be easily recycled to the extent of 95% by weight. MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT Chapter 1 Chapter Chapter 8 Chapter 7 Chapter 6 Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Chapter 2 Chapter • Industrial synergies Industrial • expertise experienceand Dieppe: • environmentthe and Sport Renault Mégane • immobilization Vehicleand security • Manufacturerguarantees • repaircostsand operating Lower • occupants all forsafety Optimum • structurebenchmark A • pleasureoperation the of to Features add which • comfortand efficiency combine Ergonomicswhich • Carefullysound tuned • wheregearbox:accelerationresponse 6-speed and A • generousoutput of engine An • systems Well-matchedaid driver • steering Sports-type • Tyresgrip developedmaximum for • High-performancebrakes • provenand chassisrear Stiffenedsuspension • axis steering independent with Innovativefrontsuspension • interior definitelysporting A • prestigiousbadge familya likeness, A plus • A lively powertrain, strong at all speeds p. 13 p. livelyspeeds A powertrain,all strong at The “beast” is beautiful p. 7 p. beautiful is “beast” The geared to everyday driving pleasuredriving everydaygeared to Sport: Renault Mégane Positioning and market p. 23 p. 21 p. market and Positioning plant Dieppe the of know-how The 9 p. control Engineeredprecisionforof are achieved with economy arewith achieved The pleasure of being at the controls p. 15 p. controls the at pleasurebeing The of A long-lasting investment p. 19 p. long-lasting investmentA Sportiness with complete safety p. 17 p. completewith safety Sportiness

MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT 5 7

CHAPTER 1 The “beast” is beautiful

The exterior design of the Mégane Renault Sport combines the thoroughbred lines of Mégane II with the presence of the Renault Sport badge. Both outside and inside, it evokes at first glance a feeling of dynamism and driving pleasure. MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT Renault is launching a modern and well-balanced car Together with the generously dimensioned (225/40) into the sports hatchback market. It declares its tyres, the 18-inch wheels fill the wheel arches. The sportiness without ostentation while adopting an effect is further to strengthen the robust character approach which reflects driving pleasure. suggested by the design of Mégane II. The perforated design of the rims is expressive of speed and shows A family likeness, off the generously dimensioned brake calipers. In this plus a prestigious badge way the Mégane Renault Sport creates an impression of power and of high grip. A wide air intake grille in the front bumper suggests the potential of the engine developed by Renault Sport The new body colours distinguish the Mégane Technologies. The front foglamps are built into the Renault Sport from other sporting . Each ends of the bumper. in its own way emphasizes the car’s sporting charac- ter: “Blood orange”, “Deep blue”, “Golden black”, Characteristic of the “Renault Sport” style, the rear “Technical grey” and “Artic blue”. bumper is cut away around the central twin-pipe exhaust outlet. A spoiler integral with the upper part of the rear hatch improves aerodynamic characteris- tics and increases stability at high speeds. A definitely sporting interior As in all the products developed by Renault Sport Technologies, the “Renault Sport” badge appears The interior colour scheme of the Mégane Renault inside the cabin on the instruments, the sill kickplates Sport reflects the exterior design. The idea of “sporty and the front seats. Outside, the logos at each side driving” is expressed through the leather steering and on the rear hatch, together with the engine trim wheel, the aluminium pedal pads and footrest, and the cover, are similarly “badged”. graphic treatment of the instrument dials. The driving position includes a new instrument layout.

The cushion and the side support rolls are deeply curved, to match the sporting character of the Mégane Renault Sport. They can be upholstered, together with the door trim panels, in leather/cloth or plain/perforated leather. The stitching on the seats, steering wheel and door panels, together with the safety belts, are either orange sanguine (blood- orange) or carbon according to the cabin interior colour scheme. 9

CHAPTER 2 Engineered for precision of control

With its innovative independent steering-axis front suspension, the Mégane Renault Sport combines efficiency with driving pleasure. The entire set-up of the chassis has been redeveloped for this most sporting version of the Mégane II. The power and fade-resistance of the brakes is ensured by using the highest- performance components. The 18-inch tyres allow the potential of the Mégane Renault Sport to be fully exploited. The steering and the driver aid systems have been calibrated for sporting use. MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT

The Mégane Renault Sport carries over the platform Innovative front suspension design of Mégane II with its of 2,625mm. Its with independent steering axis front and rear tracks have been increased to 1,517mm (+ 7mm) and 1,521mm (+ 15 mm) respectively to the Renault Sport Technologies has developed a front benefit of stability and grip. suspension with an independent steering axis to endow the Mégane Renault Sport with roadholding and traction of the highest level. This new layout maintains the geometric characteristics of the front suspension, especially during hard acceleration or severe cornering. More about the front suspension with independent steering axis

The front suspension with independent steering aluminium pivot-carrier . The hub-level offset axis overcomes the drawbacks often encountered in (the distance between the wheel centre and the powerful front-driven cars subjected to high forces: intersection of its rotation and steering axes) self-steeering inputs during tight cornering, is thus reduced to 32mm compared with 60mm and poor straight-line stability (torque-steer). for the MacPherson type suspension in Mégane II. The steering axis of the Mégane Renault Sport front The geometry of the front suspension becomes suspension is completely separate from the damper far less sensitive to loads and torques applied unit, unlike the MacPherson type arrangement in to the driven wheels around their steering axes which the steering axis is defined by the lower swiv- during hard acceleration or braking. el joint and the upper attachment of the damper. The pivot carrier is attached to the lower The axis around which the wheel rotates forms part suspension arm . It is prevented from rotating by of a pivoting link between the hub carrier and an means of a link between the two components.

The spring rates and the 20mm diameter anti-roll bar Stiffened rear suspension are adapted to the sporting character of the Mégane and proven chassis Renault Sport, while retaining ride comfort. The front suspension is carried on an isolated The rear suspension consists of a programmed- sub-frame to limit the of vibrations. A deflection beam whose stiffness of 72 m.daN/° has cross-beam has been added between the two arms been increased by 12% compared with Mégane II to of the sub-frame to increase its stiffness. The front- achieve optimum roll control during sporty driving. Its end geometry is therefore maintained whatever the mounting points are ideally placed just ahead of and applied forces. within the wheel axis. This suspension uses coil springs. The suspension travel to stop contact has been reduced to 65mm at the front and 84mm at the rear. The stiffness of the isolating bushes has been increased by 22% compared with Mégane II and the stiffened damper settings provide the Mégane Renault Sport with stable and accurate behaviour. 11

High-performance brakes Sports type steering

The Mégane Renault Sport braking system provides The Mégane Renault Sport is equipped with electric deceleration ability and fade resistance of the first variable assistance steering. The assistance parame- order. Thus a stopping distance of less than 36m can ters have been recalibrated to ensure an accurate and be achieved in 10 consecutive stops from 100kph. immediate response to driver input. The calibration of The front brakes make use of 4-pot calipers devel- the centre-point detent and the feedback of effort oped by Brembo. The four discs, also supplied by during turn-in to a corner were among the driving Brembo, are of large diameter (312mm ventilated at fundamentals taken into account during the definition the front and 300mm at the rear) and of considerable of the assistance parameters. thickness (28mm at the front and 11mm at the rear). The progressiveness of the assistance, whatever the Brake servo assistance is provided by an 11-inch unit steering angle, enables the car to be placed with which generates a maximum pressure of 115 bars in precision. The degree of effort increases as a func- the circuit. tion of the car’s speed, with excellent linearity. Equally at ease on the open road or in town, the The latest-generation Bosch 8.0 ABS with EBD allows Mégane Renault Sport has a turning circle between the rear braking potential to be fully exploited. To kerbs of 10.35m. reduce stopping distances to a minimum, the Mégane Renault Sport is equipped with emergency brake assist Well-matched driver aid systems with automatic illumination of the hazard warning lights. The Mégane Renault Sport is equipped as standard with Bosch 8.0 ESP with understeer control. Its oper- ating threshold is higher than in Mégane II and the manner in which it intervenes has been adapted to suit more dynamic driving. None the less, it contributes to a high level of active safety.

A traction control system (ASR) complements these features to ensure good traction whatever the surface or the acceleration input. The ASR system can be inhibited below 50kph, by way of a dashboard switch, when starting from rest on low-grip or uneven sur- faces. Reconnection is automatic each time the engine is started or when the speed exceeds 50kph. Finally, the engine torque regulation on overrun feature (MSR) modulates the torque output to prevent locking of the driven wheels when the accelerator is suddenly released or when decelerating on a low-grip surface. MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT

Tyres developed for maximum grip

The tyre plays a determining role in achieving chassis performance. The 225/40 R18-sized Continental SportContact2 was developed for the Mégane Renault Sport. Its tread rubber was developed to ensure the transmission of engine output and braking torque to the road surface. The cornering grip of these tyres allows the full potential of the chassis to be exploited while providing the driver with full awareness of its behaviour. pistons, the crankshaft and the twin scroll type tur- type scroll twin the and crankshaft the pistons, the on out carried optimizations and changes several of result the weretorque and power in increases The maximum 6,000rpm.. and 2,000 availabletorquebetween is this of 90% operation, of flexibility great provideTo 3,000rpm. at mkg) (30.6 300Nm of torque develops maximum (F4Rt) and 5,500rpm at (225bhp) 165kW engine of power turbocharged 16v 2.0 This generousoutput of engine An VelSatis in It is a development of the 2.0 Turbo engine first seen Department. Engineering PowertrainRenault’s and was jointly developed by Renault Sport Technologies Sport Renault Mégane the in engine Turbo 2.0 The but sporting is note engine The economy. refined. fuel and response of the both to gearboxbenefit manual 6-speed a through drives engine The driving. everyday in use of torquefavourscurveease the of shape The 300Nm. torqueof maximum and (225bhp) 165kW of developsoutput powerengine Sport Renault Mégane The speeds all strongat livelypowertrain,A 3 CHAPTER acoustic performance.acoustic of benefit further the to gearbox the stiffer with coupling in results block cylinder face” “wide called so- The response. pick-up penalizing without ance perform- acoustic improves therefore feature This crankshaft. the by gearbox mini- the of flywheel excitation mizes damping twin-mass low-inertia A management developed operation. of ease optimize tocomputer specially a with equipped is engine The turbo. the by provided airflow greater the to matched are injectors fuel The time. response and compressor to improve cylinder filling and reduce turbine special a from bocharger.benefits latter This

MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT 13 A 6-speed gearbox: Carefully tuned sound where acceleration and response are achieved with economy The 60mm diameter of the exhaust pipe reduces back- pressure which might adversely impact performance. The Mégane Renault Sport engine drives through a The exhaust note is sporting but refined, with a 6-speed manual gearbox (ND0) first seen in Mégane II. marked contrast between steady speed and hard This -developed unit is notable for especially acceleration. The Mégane Renault Sport thus pro- precise and fast gearshifting. Its short lever move- vides pleasant listening when the rythm accelerates, ments and positive detents contribute to driving without affecting overall driving comfort. pleasure. The special gear ratios improve response in each of the intermediate gears, while fuel consumption and noise levels in motorway driving are reduced. This powertrain allows the Mégane Renault Sport to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in only 6.5 seconds, and to cover a kilometre from a standing start in 26.7 seconds. At 8.8 litres/100km in the mixed cycle (otherwise 209g of CO2/km), fuel consumption is the lowest among cars of similar power output in the sports hatch segment, while exhaust emissions comply with the Euro 4 fiscal incentive standard. 15

CHAPTER 4 The pleasure of being at the controls

The Mégane Renault Sport cabin interior is dedicated to driving pleasure. The leather steering wheel, the aluminium pedal pads and the front seats with their pronounced curvature are all in tune with the car’s sporting character. Pleasure of operation also results from the many features offered in the Mégane Renault Sport. MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT

The sportiness suggested by the exterior design of The driver is provided with a large, flat footrest the Mégane Renault Sport is reflected within the for greater comfort and better location during hard cabin, where ergonomics are combined with travel- driving. The close grouping and the short movement ling comfort. of accelerator and brake pedals favour heel-and-toe operation. Ergonomics which combine efficiency and comfort The feedback of information to the driver is an essential part of driving pleasure. The front seats of The driving position of the Mégane Renault Sport has the Mégane Renault Sport provide increased side- been designed to provide a made-to-measure fit. The ways support at both shoulder and hip level. The steering wheel is perfectly aligned with the centre line density of the foam has been matched to the damp- of the seat and provides excellent grip. Recesses for ing rate of the car and the pronounced curve at the the thumbs make for better precision of steering. The front of the cushion provides good support for the steering column is adjustable for height and reach thighs. through a wide range of movement (respectively +/- 20mm and +/- 25mm). Features which add to the pleasure Two on-board navigation systems are offered: of driving Carminat Turn-By-Turn Guidance and Carminat Navigation System. The latter includes a wide screen Once seated at the controls, the driver benefits from which folds away and whose tilt can be adjusted. all the features and innovations offered in Mégane II. The tyre pressure monitoring system, the cruise con- According to choice, the headlamp dipped beams are trol/speed limiter, the electrochromic interior mirror equipped either with halogen or xenon discharge and - according to country - the automatic operation bulbs. of headlamps as well as the automatic variation of wiper speed form part of the standard Mégane Renault Sport equipment specification. With the Renault “hands free” card, unlocking of the car takes place automatically as one of the door han- dles is lifted. The engine can be started without inserting the card in its slot, simply by pressing a but- ton on the dashboard while also depressing the brake or clutch pedal. The low noise level inside the Mégane Renault Sport allows the Cabasse audio system with its 6 loudspeakers to be fully appreciated. 17

CHAPTER 5 Sportiness with complete safety

Safety is a priority and a particular area of Renault expertise. The Mégane Renault Sport has in its genes all those elements needed for it to become a benchmark for passive safety in the sports hatchback segment. With the structure and the full range of safety features found in Mégane II, the Mégane Renault Sport provides optimum safety for all seating positions. MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT

The passive safety of the Mégane Renault Sport A benchmark structure resembles its image of velocity: remarkable efficien- cy. It forms part of the Mégane II line, thus of the first The front, rear and sides of the Mégane Renault compact hatchback to achieve a maximum 5-star Sport absorb the energy associated with impact rating in the crash tests conducted by the Euro- while preserving the cabin interior. Its structure pos- NCAP organization. sesses the ability to absorb and to dissipate large amounts of kinetic energy thanks to the use of new steels and other materials first seen in Mégane II. Optimum safety for The Mégane Renault Sport is equipped with two tho- all occupants rax side airbags for the front seat occupants; two side airbags are also offered for the back seat. Two curtain An excellent balance between the energy-absorbing airbags provide protection for the heads of both front ability of the structure and the means of occupant and rear occupants, whether adults or children. All restraint has been achieved. The Mégane Renault the airbag operation settings have been modified to Sport is equipped with the third-generation Renault match them to the specification of the car’s chassis. System for Restraint and Protection which has been fitted to all the group’s new models since 2001. For The back seat passengers are provided with 3-point the front seats, this system combines double-volume inertia-reel safety belts which embody a 600 daN load adaptive airbags and safety belts with twin load lim- limiter and a pyrotechnic pretensioner in the case of iters (600 daN at pelvis level and 400 daN at thorax the two outer sitting positions. level). Coupling of occupant to seat is achieved through double pretensioners for the front seats, The Mégane Renault Sport provides a system of with two pyrotechnic pretensioners in the 5-door or 3-point Isofix attachments for child safety seats, for- a pretensioner and an anti-submarining airbag in ward or rear-facing, for the two rear outer seat posi- the 3-door. tions and the front passenger seat. A secure switch allows the safety equipment of the front seat to be inhibited. A dashboard indicator light is illuminated when these safety features are inhibited. 19

CHAPTER 6 A long-lasting investment

The reliability and durability of the Mégane Renault Sport benefit from all the advances achieved during the Mégane II programme. The service intervals have been increased, while the manufacturer’s guarantees and repair costs are at their best level. The Mégane Renault Sport shows that sportiness and respect for the environment can be reconciled, with reduced fuel consumption and with recyclability taken into account from the outset of the project. MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT

Lower operating radiator mountings pivot so as to maintain the cool- and repair costs ing system intact. In the Mégane Renault Sport as in all the cars which Manufacturer guarantees form the Mégane II programme, the service interval is 30,000km and replacement of sparking plugs and air The international scope of the Mégane II programme filter is required only every 60,000km. involved the systematic integration of durability The Mégane Renault Sport carries several compo- parameters from the design stage. The Mégane nents specially designed to take into account the Renault Sport provides a manufacturer’s guarantee constraints arising from light impacts, notably the of 2 years, with a 12-year guarantee against corro- Danner impact for which it has been awarded the sion made possible through the use of sheet steel highest rating in its class. Extruded aluminium galvanized on both sides. The engine mounting sub- cross-members at front and rear absorb almost all frame is likewise galvanized and wax protection is the energy of impacts up to 16 kph. Body operations injected into all box-sections. The aerodynamic ele- and painting are eliminated, to the benefit of repair ments beneath the body also provide protection for costs. In the case of an impact at low speed, the “soft the suspension components against flying debris. nose” front bumper is designed to collapse beneath the bonnet and to disconnect from the wings. The

1 Test to determine the insurance classification of a car in Germany, and which will become generally applied in Europe. It comprises three impacts: actual front and rear at 15 kph, theoretical side at 11 kph. Vehicle security Mégane Renault Sport and immobilization and the environment

The Mégane Renault Sport benefits from all the anti- Together with the smooth floor, the skidplate beneath intruder and vehicle security features seen in Mégane the engine and fairings around the rear suspension, II. The driver’s door lock embodies a free-rotating bar- the efficiency of the Renault Sport 2.0 16v turbo rel protected by a casing. All the door mechanisms are engine contributes to achieving the best levels of fuel protected by shields and the faired-in control cables consumption and CO2 emissions. are made more difficult to operate by hooking. The The Mégane Renault Sport is easily recycled to the under-bonnet computer is similarly protected and extent of 95% by weight without compromising its the steering column is equipped with a strengthened quality or its specification. The range of materials anti-theft box. Finally, a deadlocking function avail- employed has been reduced so as to favour the recov- able for some markets allows the interior door han- ery process. dles to be disconnected by pressing twice on the card. This makes it impossible to open the doors even if a In the area of noise emissions, Renault has fulfilled its window is broken. ambition to position the Mégane Renault Sport at the top of its class by achieving an exterior noise reduction of 3dB, in other words a gain of 50%, for this version by comparison with the 76dB specified by the European Union for low-volume production cars. The line of sporting products manufactured in Dieppe is continued with the Mégane Renault Sport. 21

CHAPTER 7 The know-how of the Dieppe plant

The manufacture of the Mégane Renault Sport has been assigned to the Dieppe plant whose experience in assembling cars of this type is now well recognized. The process of assembly and of quality control is based on that of the Palencia plant and employs the latest production and quality standards to emerge from the synergies generated by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT

The Dieppe plant

Established in 1955, the Dieppe plant has always specialized in the manufacture of low-volume and competition cars. Famous It benefits from the expertise of this site in the pro- models including the Berlinette, duction of sporting cars, and from the most stringent the Turbo, the Alpine A610 quality control procedures. and the have emerged from this factory. Dieppe: experience and expertise Today the plant has 420 employees and houses two assembly lines intended for the cars To prepare for the Mégane Renault Sport, the Dieppe developed by Renault Sport Technologies, with plant (Normandy, ) invested €800,000. In the a total maximum daily capacity of 150 units. first instance this investment concerned specific tooling. A new workstation provides for the simul- taneous installation of the engine and gearbox, the The Mégane Renault Sport is assembled on a line front and rear suspensions, the exhaust system and exclusively dedicated to it, alongside a second line the fuel tank beneath the body. which produces the 2.0 16v and V6. Industrial synergies which builds the 3-door and 5-door versions of Mégane II as well as the estate version. With the The Mégane Renault Sport is assembled using bodies arrival of this model, the Dieppe plant has adopted manufactured and taken through cataphoresis in the the Renault Production Way (SPR) together with the Renault plant at Palencia (Spain). The assembly AVES (Alliance Vehicle Evaluation Standard)2 quality process is based on a modular design approach: the standard which emerged from the Renault-Nissan driving position modules and the door panels are Alliance. directly assembled at Dieppe, while the front section 2 AVES is a reference system developed by Renault and Nissan (upper and lower cross-members, headlamps) is to measure the quality level of vehicles leaving the plant, prepared at Douai. from a “customer perspective”. This system replaced the AQR (Action Qualité Renault) in Renault’s plants. It adopted the “best practices” of both manufacturers. AVES is a confirmatory Assembly of the Mégane Renault Sport at Dieppe is (Quality Assurance) tool while AQR was used as a detection largely based on the operation of the Palencia plant tool (Quality Control). 23

CHAPTER 8 Positioning and market

Completing the Mégane II programme which has seen 7 body types launched in 18 months, Renault is introducing the Mégane Renault Sport into a sports hatchback market which is growing in Western Europe. MÉGANE RENAULT SPORT Between 1998 and 2002, the market for sporting market. It will also contribute to reducing the average models in the C segment showed very strong growth, age of Renault’s customers and will create a more from 5,300 units in 1998 to 30,000 in 2002. This rapid dynamic image for Mégane II. progression resulted from the increasing number of models of this type from many manufacturers, mainly Through its dynamic behaviour and its mechanical using dedicated identities. Following a slight drop in potential, the Mégane Renault Sport responds to the sales during 2003 as a result of fewer models being high expectations of customers for compact sporting available (20,160 units to the end of August), the year cars. Offered in 3-door and 5-door form, it is suitable 2004 will see a new expansion of the market for for all forms of use and for everyday driving, helped compact sporting cars with the arrival of new products. by a level of comfort and features worthy of a grand In this context the Mégane Renault Sport completes tourer. The Mégane Renault Sport combines travel- Renault’s range for this extremely competitive ling pleasure with the driving feel of a . Renault Press Office: Tel: +33 (0)1 41 04 63 36 Websites: www.renault.com - www.media.renault.com